Don't overstay your visa: US Embassy issues stern warning to Indian travellers

In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement, the United States has issued a stern new warning to Indian nationals travelling on visas.

The US Embassy in India took to social media to announce that overstaying a visa—even by a short period—could now result in deportation and a permanent ban from entering the country again.

The post, shared on X, comes amid a renewed immigration crackdown under US President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

The message is particularly directed at Indian nationals traveling on tourist, student, and work visas, emphasising that even legal entry into the United States comes with the obligation to respect visa terms and American laws.

Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also released a statement declaring that holding a valid visa or green card does not guarantee immunity from deportation.

The agency asserted that coming to America is a privilege, not a right, and that individuals who promote violence, terrorism, or similar unlawful activities could face immediate removal, regardless of their immigration status.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, his administration has aggressively pursued immigration reforms and enforcement actions. The US President has declared a national emergency at the Mexico border and stepped up deportation flights, including several that repatriated Indian nationals in February.

The White House has also moved to overhaul the H-1B visa program, expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, and push to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the US to undocumented parents.